Morning journal and courier., 1887-03-18
RRLKAsE OF MURDERER.
Connned for Many Years In An Insane
 Asylum He Relates Ills Experi-

AELEASE OF A MURDERERs
 Confined for Many Years in An Insan'
 Asylum He Relates His Experi l ences.
 | DANvERs, Mass, March 1.-The releas
 from the insane asylum of Charles F. Free
 man of Pocassett, who in 1879 murdered hi
 i've year old daughter in a fit of religious frenzy, has created co nsiderable excitement hereabouts. When the news that he wal
 freerwas communicated to Freeman he mani l fested much emotion. It was hard to believe I the pleasant-faced, frank-spoken man that 1 stepped forward was ever insa ne or had com } mitted crime in that condition. He is fl years old, but his face does not show it, and his hair is only slightly streaked with grey when it is brushed back above. the ears. For man who has been in an
 insane asylum for years, when he and all around him knew him to be
 sane, he certainly bears himself well and in his talk was cheerful, hopeful and con-
 6dent that he should be able to begin life successfully. 'rI hay formed no plans for the future" he said, in response to an in qniry, "except to look for employment in some business and begin life over. I am not like 2 man just let out of an asylum, thrust out as it were, for have been on parole here for five years; have gone out daily in the village in charge of an attendant, matter of formality only; have read the daily papers and in short have kept abreast of the news of the day. have never lost my interest in outside offairs and in fact have managed my only business affairs; have seen my family 1,- Friendss Yes, have made more friends since my stay here and better ones, I trust, than those I made before. At any rate they have proved themselves by the kindness shown me and by their efforts to get pardon for a sane man imprisoned un- der mere legal forms. But have no con- plaints to make against one, no hard feelings or anything to avenge, though many have wronged me, and see reason why I can not start afresh, leaving the past behind"
 MT. Freeman did not care to talk of the past and the memories called up by an allu- sion to it were evidently painful to him. ., "lt had seemed long time to pass through, these last eight years, yet it does not seem so long to look back upon them. At times have been Respondent. yet I have tried my best to turn my thoughts forward rather than back, so that have not brooded over past events and they are fading from my mind. know that where men have recovered their reason as have, the danger of relapse has come from a return to their old associations. I shall therefore avoid all possible danger-though I do not believe I stand in any-snd shall seek new faces and new associations from those left. My religious belief now? That I can not tell you as briefly you would wish I cannot speak of it."
 ''It is certainly not the old belief, is its'
 "Most certainly not" was the smiling reply, "but that is one of the things I cannot talk about" Mir. Freeman, in conversation which followed, told of his commitment to the asylum and his subsequent trial on the indictment hanging over him. "It was," he said, ''as the attorney gen eral said to-day the farce of a trial. was sane. The prose cutting officers knew it, the judge knew it and the jury knew it, all by the testimony of the best medical experts on mental diseases. Yet to find me innocent of my insane act, though fully convinced of my sanity as ap- peared before them, they were obliged to add to the verdict of not guilty the words 'by reason of insanity Then the law left the judge no option but to sentence me to an in- sane asylum for life with hope of a pardon. This last Governor Robinson would have been glad to give me had he not feared to establish a precedent and he endeavored to have the law changed in my behalf Gov. Ames and his council have granted my discharge and alone know how grateful I am. l cannot express but a part of what l feel" Speaking of his present condition MT. Freeman said: "As you see am in per feet physical health and I feel sure and the doctors do also that my mental health is equally good There is no doubt that the former aids the latter and that this rest and recuperation has been just what was needed for perfect restoration. You have only to ask anyone here what my temper, what my conduct has been, to know that I am safe person to be at large. I have submitted cheerfully to all the asylum rules and never, + believe, have I been reprimanded~ by physician or attendant. My most heart felt thanks are given to all who have had me in charge, and that never have received other than the kindest treatment and warm est sympathy from them"
 The physicians at the asylum bare willing testimony to the truth of Mir. Freeman's and said while they felt sorry to lose his assistance, they could but be glad at his release. He has been for years in charge of some of the more intelligent patients and has been of great use in other directions. He lett the asylum this morning and joined his family.